A look back at the Loris City Council 2025 year in review

By Kaye Collins

In 2025, extending into early 2026, the Loris City Council has focused on modernizing infrastructure, overseeing substantial growth proposals, and tackling administrative financial challenges.

The significant infrastructure enhancements involve upgrades to water and sewer systems. In 2025, the city initiated a multi-phase project costing $5.3 million to replace outdated utility lines, which includes 10-inch water mains located in the downtown region. This initiative, primarily financed by a $4.5 million grant, also encompasses the installation of new digital water meters to resolve persistent billing discrepancies.

Sewer rehabilitation efforts commenced with the Pinewood Drive Sewer Rehabilitation project, which employs pipe-bursting techniques to repair around 8,300 linear feet of gravity sewer lines. City leaders have been actively seeking grant funding to improve storm water management and mitigate flash flooding. They have engaged with Horry County officials to coordinate easements for drainage ditches.

The Heritage Road Project faced significant challenges regarding development and annexation pressures, particularly concerning a proposal for a 360-acre annexation near Loris High School. Although the Planning Commission suggested approval, the project, which could introduce 530 single-family homes to the city, encountered strong public opposition due to worries about flooding, traffic congestion, and school capacity. Consequently, the developer withdrew from the annexation.

The council has been actively implementing strategies from the Comprehensive Plan 2040, which emphasizes sustainable growth and the necessity of ensuring that infrastructure capacity is adequate before granting approval for new developments.

Budgetary and Fiscal Management Balanced Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget In July 2025, the council approved a general fund budget of $4.4 million. Even with a 10 percent rise in expenditures, the council successfully avoided increasing property taxes and kept water and sewer rates unchanged.

The council has been dealing with the repercussions of a forensic audit regarding the utilization of hospitality tax funds from prior years. This initiative was designed to enhance transparency after approximately half of the $1.45 million in funds was scrutinized for being allocated to unauthorized projects.

The Public Safety and Redevelopment Demolition of the Old Loris High School, the council made the decision to tear down the long-abandoned high school structure, which has been in existence for 95 years and has recently been labeled as an “eyesore” and a potential safety hazard. With the support of a $1 million state grant, the city demolished the buildings in 2025 and tackled issues associated with asbestos and soil contamination.

The Downtown Revitalization Program encompassed renovations to the public safety building, enhancements to sidewalks and parking facilities, as well as the repainting of the city’s notable water tower.

At the conclusion of December 2025, three incumbents took their oaths of office to serve on the council until November 2029. Four challengers vied for a position on the Loris City Council, with the election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2025. A run-off election between two candidates required voters to return to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to decide who would join the council.